Barclays and the Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBoS) are to use artificial intelligence technology as part of an industry-wide crackdown on financial fraud and terrorist funding.
The banks, along with Abbey National, HSBC, LloydsTSB and the Royal Bank of Scotland, last week announced the Know Your Customer campaign to verify the identity of their 40 million UK account holders and step up the monitoring of transactions.
Barclays and HBoS have invested in software from UK supplier Searchspace that uses artificial intelligence to analyse customer information in the banks' data warehouses for suspicious activity.
"It is a more effective way of filtering transactions and identifying activity that is suspicious," a spokesman for HBoS told vnunet.com.
Elsewhere existing systems are being used to automatically check the identity of account holders.
Some small-scale development work has been done at Barclays, but the majority of the automated checks have taken place at the existing Barclays Enterprise Data Warehouse and the online customer system used by the bank's front line staff.
"As a result of this, 85 per cent of the personal customer base has already been re-mediated without the need for any direct contact with the customer and without the customer being aware that this check has even taken place," Neil Morris, Business change manager at Barclays told vnunet.com.
HBoS explained that it is still at a "very early stage of the development" of identifying customers as it continues with the integration of the Halifax and Bank of Scotland IT systems following the merger.
The Know Your Customer campaign has been developed with the Financial Services Authority, which has stepped up its efforts to tackle money laundering and terrorist funding following the 11 September attacks in the US.
The National Criminal Intelligence Service received 18,571 reports from banks of money laundering between January and May this year, double last year's total and expected to reach 60,000 by the end of the year.
Do you agree?
Checked this number with Halifax
I had a call from this number and I was immediately suspicious that this was a phishing scam. I called one of the the Halifax customer service lines. The person I spoke to told me that they would not call and ask for security details. Under no circumstances should you reveal security related information to someone that calls you. You would not respond to one of those emails asking you to re-enter your password etc. would you?
Posted by toltec, 18 Apr 2006
08708503492
They keep ringing but not speaking.... f*in annoying!!!
Is there anything anyone can do to stop them????
Posted by mfrmbrum, 04 May 2006
Scams
this number was calling up to 10 times per day.All silent (apart from pseudo office noise in the background). I registered with telephone preferences and asked Telewest to help. This was about 5 weeks ago and the calls stopped. And then..... got another one this morning. I let them go onto an answering machine now and my phone handset can be fixed to identify callers in the address book and rings accordingly. Whatever you do don't ring it back - its a premium number and who knows how much it will cost. People don't make outgoing calls on 0870 numbers usually!
Posted by Dave, 19 Apr 2006
me too
i had this number call today but just like someone else they just hung up.
how do they have all our telephone numbers? if they have our numbers do they have anything else about us, like our address etc.?
Posted by Portsmouth, 12 Apr 2006
scam no. 08708503492
I have this missed call on my mobile phone at least 4-6 times a day. It rings once and hang up. when I call back to check, it is a recoreded answering machine. I think it is one of those scam thing. Be care full.
Posted by Shew, 12 Apr 2006
See if it helps!
Been getting calls the past week from 08708503###, sometimes 3 to 4 times a day.
I registered Here.
http://www.ukdatait.co.uk/cgi-bin/sgAddNumber.cgi
Posted by Redwood19, 02 Apr 2006
in response...
i think, jack, you will find that hbos has to confirm security such as a date of birth as it would be against data protection not to. imagine not doing so and giving personal details to someone else? im sure you would have something to complain about then?! also hbos wouldnt have to do this if people actually paid their debts!
Posted by anon, 28 Mar 2006
08708503492
I have had this number calling me aswell. Do HBOS employ a 3rd party to call their customers?
I dont owe money as far as I know. What do they want?
When I call the number back, it is an automated response.
Has any one else been receiving these calls?
Posted by nick, 24 Mar 2006
08708503492
tel 08708503492
this telephone number belongs to HBOS halifax bank of scotland, they also operate as Sainsburys Bank.
They all operate under the umbrella of Halifax Bank Of Scotland, but what they tell no one is that J & J collections as they pretend to be an outside agent is infact HBOS.
They all break the Data Protection Law by asking you to confirm your ID or your personal information over the phone.
IF you owe money then its HBOS
Posted by jack, 02 Mar 2006
This number
I too had a phone call from this number but they hung up.
Posted by Marrieanne, 01 Mar 2006
bank of scotland phone scam
ive had phone calls from this number 08708503492 claiming to be the bank of scotland asking for my security details of my credit cards and bank accounts how do i do something about this???? can any one help contact me on my email
Posted by marc, 18 Feb 2006
0870-3302-522
Whever I have had a problem with my account my bank have always written to me - never phoned me. This is a definate scam!! Far as I am concerned they should involve the police
Posted by Aviva, 14 Mar 2007
08708503492
I'm getting 1-4 08708503492 calls a day. When they do answer they pretend to want to speak to Mr. John Segundo (once could be a wrong no. but every day...), and when told it's a wrong number want to know the address the line's at. I tried BT who who claim to be powerless as "it's a powerdialler" despite my phone no. being unlisted and regd with TPS. They suggested silentcall-gard and gave an 8p/min phone no. (use the link above, it's free :))
Posted by spacey, 05 May 2006
More Scam calls
I've had 6/8 calls a day from 08708503492 it's woken my baby four times. I can't identify who it is. I am trying to track them down....
Posted by Sharon, 06 May 2006
This is the answer
I was receiving these calls whilst in France a few months back. I too missed the call so I rang the number back and heard "an operative tried to call you and will ring back". They did not identify the company so ignored the calls until I got back to the UK. Now the calls were coming on Sunday AM, in the middle of meetings at work and even during golf so I desiced to find out what was going on.
It turns out the number belongs to Halifax who were chasing me for being £50 over my overdraft. I asked if they had written to me which they said they had but I never received any mail so who knows. I paid the money and found out they have an auto dial system....when you get flagged up on the system it will auto dial you a certain amount of times a day....if you answer the system connects your call to the a collections agent, if none are available it hangs up and tries again later. These calls will not stop until you contact the bank.
I complained and pointed out that I never knowingly miss my payments so I'd appreciate a little bit more respect from my bank, lady apologised and that was that.
To be honest it sucks but as with most things I can only see it becoming worse as technology takes more of a grip and individual importance dwindles.
You are just a number.
Posted by iDLe*, 16 May 2006
08708503492
Been receiving calls from this number for the past week sometimes up to 6 times a day. On answering the line is silent. I'm registered with Telephone Preference Service. It's Sunday at 12.08pm and have just received yet another call!! Does anyone have advice on what to do next?
Posted by D Richardson, 21 May 2006
Hit back
I too have had 9 calls a day recently. I threatened to call the police and complain of nuisance calls. Now; I have bought a whistle - come on - dial me!!
Posted by Peter Julian Lester, 22 May 2006
08705803492
Hiya, I have been getting calls from this number also but after reading your comments i will ring round and see if i owe anyone anything - however i have also been gatting calls from 08004049316 - now has anyone had any problems with this number just think it might be connected to the above number?
Cheers
Posted by sally, 24 May 2006
I am confused
I am also getting calls and I am really confused so is this a scam or not. I know that I am not owe anyone any money and surely If this was a real company they would say who they were when you call them back instead of this automated message.
Posted by laura, 25 May 2006
08708503492
This is the Halifax chasing you for being over your overdraft limit, only way to stop it is to get your account into credit. It?s bad enough they charge you £30 for every transaction over your limit without them calling every five minutes to tell you that you?re overdrawn and can you pay some money in? Of cause I can?t pay any money in, if I could I wouldn?t be overdrawn would I? I had £150 worth of bank charges in one week for being over my limit; if any of you are being ripped off you should appeal the charges!
Posted by Daddy_d, 05 Jun 2006
WANKERS
i too have had this phone call, i have a bank account with the halifax and i was on the phone to them on saturday morning. they told me there operating hours are mon-fri 8.30 to 5.30 and sat 9.00-12.30........ why the fook are they ringing me on sunday fookin morning ? if i do find out that it is the fookin HALIFAX then i WILL be moving banks. set of fookin rejects !
Posted by JH, 04 Jun 2006
HBOS scam
I have received approx 100 calls from this number, each time they would hang up when i started to ask questions. Finally i managed to speak to one of the callers and get them to delete my phone number from the database. Try registering with TPS through BT as this prohibits your number being passed to companies for sales purposes.
Posted by lucy, 05 Jun 2006
08708503492
phone rings and surpise,surprise,nobody there.
HBOS,up yours.
I'm not withholding my name why should they.
Posted by Alistair Sutherland, 05 Jun 2006
Taking the blame for someones dirty work!
Hmm.. This number has been phoning over and over again for the past few weeks, always at around the same time..We have been recieving £50ish premium rate calls on our phone bill and of course I'm getting the blame. I phoned up these guys and they helped me block all premium rate numbers and stuff, but still it phones on and on and on, I'm afraid to phone back and find out what it is incase it charges my parents more money. Anyone help me?
Posted by Mike, 15 Jun 2006
mystery
Have too suffered with this number. Have called Sainsbury and Halifax and they say its not one of there numbers. It really annoying me.
Posted by Eggs, 14 Jun 2006
08708503492
This number has been ringing me for a week now but not leaving messages (Sat. Sun, 9pm, etc), I actually answered it an hour ago, first time it was just hung up, second time I answered, I spoke to a lady, it was Blair Scott Oliver, regarding a Bank of Scotland account I am in dispute with. So it is a legitimate call, re verification, they gave me my address and just wanted my year of birth, and they gave me a bit more info so I knew it was them. Hope this helps.
Posted by Jane, 08 Jun 2006
08708503492
answer it you owe them money halifax.., aqua credit card
etc
Posted by indebt, 06 Jun 2006
hmmmm
I was called by 08708503492 only to have them hang up straight away. After reading the comments here I rang the hbos complaints dept. The guy I spoke to said it was the first he had heard of it and the number didn't match any on his internal directory.He had a look at the comments written here and thinks it is probably a scam....but if it is hbos, would he of admitted it?
Posted by fester, 07 Jun 2006
08708503492
I have had the same problem with this number constantly calling my mobile phone. I contacted Halifax because I used to have a Sainsbury Credit Card but this was paid in full ages ago and the account closed. I've spoken to customer services on the HSOB customer service number and they were really helpful but they couldn't trace the number in their system and have stated that there is no reason why they would have called me.
Posted by Graeme, 13 Jun 2006
Be rude to them
It's nothing to do with Hbos and I can't help wondering if some of the comments on the net that claim it is Hbos are from the scammers.
Some stupid person calls, they ask for someone who doesn't exist and then try to extract your data.
Give them a load of abuse, go on enjoy yourself, or blow their ears out with a whistle. They deserve it.
Posted by Nora, 28 Jun 2006
Tel Number 08708503492
I keep getting 3-4 calls a day for the last 2 weeks from this number. When I ring back it gives out an automated message " one of our representatives called you earlier, we will try another time". This is really starting to annoy me!!
Posted by Helen, 26 Jun 2006
Get them back!!
The is an ombudsman that deals with complaint concerning Halifax and other banks. the email address is:
complaint-info@
financial-ombudsman.org.uk
Telephone: 0845 080 1800
Maybe if enough people contact them they'll take some action.
Posted by Doyster, 15 Jul 2006
Automated calls
I've had calls from this number several days running. The calls come in pairs, and go straight onto my answer machine - although they hang up before leaving a message. They think they must be automated.
I have no Halifax, HBOS or Sainsburys connection, and doubt it is from these companies.
Another number I get it from is 08708503719
Posted by John, 24 Aug 2006
Me too
i'm not a customer of HBOS, but evidently, whoever had my number before me was. Whenever anyone phones for her i try and explain that she doesn't and never has lived here and ask them to remove the number, but they keep phoning. Like some of you these calls happen up to 10 times a daya dn it's starting to grind my gears. Halifax confirmed that this indeed is their outgoing number and all i need to do is ask for a reference number from the person calling, phone halifax (by going into a branch, so no expense on my part) and tell them who they are looking for and the reference number and they'll take my number off her records. So if anyone else, like me, is recieving these calls in error, this is the way to go about it.
Posted by Z3RO, 01 Aug 2006
08708503492
I've had enough stress with this number ringing me day times,late evenings, Saturdays and Sundays. F*CK OFF Halifax if it is them, I absolutely owe you nothing, infact you owe back all those £30 charges from the past missed payments. For those scaming, watch your asses because we are after them!
Posted by Freeman, 02 Sep 2006
08708503492 again
I was interested to see all this mail below about this scam number! I have suddenly started getting 3 calls a day at home and on my mobile from this number and wondered what it was all about. Now I know I know I am right just to block this nuisance number.
Posted by Stuart, 10 Aug 2006
Telephone Scammers
This is a phone scam designed to ensure you pay £20 everytime you ring them back and £10 everytime they call you. They are not affiliated with any bank and should you receive these calls, you need to complain to BT who provide this service at a special rate.
If you recieve a call, get it barred through your service provider, and should you get their details, ring your bank on the number on your statements and advise them that someone is trying to defraud you using this number
Posted by Interloper, 10 Aug 2006
08708503492
Been getting calls all this week just like all the other people on this site, I too got the automated number, and the one time I was home and ansered, there was no one there, I am not overdue on any of my credit card payments, and I owe no other money, so why do they call. I will however be rude to them if and when I do finally get to speak to someone.
Posted by Paul-London, 11 Aug 2006
08708503492
this is the head office for the halifax. if anyone had bothered to phone them and check they would have found that out pretty quickly!
Posted by nick, 01 Sep 2006
Same here
Person doesn't identify themselves, ring back "bla bla bla" without saying who it is.
Posted by Mary, 01 Sep 2006
0870803492
i'm 16 and have a bank account that i can't withdraw money out off. i keep getting these phone calls but never answer them...
i'm not sure what i should do as the phone is regisared in my dads name and he is'nt even with halifax. help me please
Posted by E, 30 Aug 2006
08708503492
I too have been receiving silent calls from that number, I have registered a complaint with ofcom.org.uk who will hopefully sort it out.
Posted by lisa hercock, 03 Sep 2006
08708503492
This is Aqua credit card from the Halifax, they have just ring me for being £3 over my limit. I missed the call on my mobile so they rang me at work.
It's madness.
Posted by Joanne, 19 Sep 2006
08708 503492
My company mobile has been receiving up to 10 calls a day from this number and if a person is on the end of the phone they refuse to give the company name. I have now reported this to Trading Standards as they are in breach of the Companies Act. My mobile provider was unable to assist in blocking the number and BT could not help. Don't call the number back - it's a waste of time!
Posted by Sue, 29 Sep 2006
I reckon it IS a scam
I don't bank with HBOS but I do have a Halifax credit card. I've caled their card services 0845 number and they confirm there is nothing on my account to warrant them calling me (which i what I would expect) and they cannot identify the 0870 number as belonging to any of their departments, including the debt dept. As someone else pointed out, you don't tend to have calls from an 0870 number and I made the mistake of replying before seeing the number. Dread to think how much it'll be! Advice - don't call back and get the number barred from your phone
Posted by Jocelyn Robson, 29 Sep 2006
How to stop it!!!!!!
I too started getting calls from this number. In fact, I got over 50 within a 2 week period! They follow the same pattern, 3 rings, if you don't pick up then the line goes dead. Even if you do pick up in time, then there is often nobody there. This is harrasment in my book!! I have since found out that this system is doing this because it is a computerised dialling system, and when you pick up, it only puts you through if there is a 'representative' available. When you do manage to talk to a person, they ask for somebody (who you have probably never heard of). They then won't give you any other details. If you call back, all you get is a recorded message (with no info).
I can confirm that it is the Halifax / Bank of Scotland collections dept. If you do owe them money, pay up and they'll leave you alone. If you don't have any debts, and don't even bank with them (like me), then give them hell!!!!!!!!!! There are 2 numbers that I have found that have made a difference: 01422 380880 - This is the Halifax collections dept, and 08457 253519 (option 2?) - This gets you through to the customer relations team. It is still not easy, but if you kick up enough fuss, they will put you through to a manager (I talked to 'Jules'). The ridiculous thing is, that they say that they still cannot stop the calls unless you tell them the name of the person that they ask for when they call (take note if you are quick enough to talk to anyone)!
Frankly, for a well known company, this way of doing business stinks. I have complained to Watchdog (perhaps if enough of us do, then we can get something done?). I have also complained to the financial ombudsman (0845 0801800). If there is anyone out there with any 'clout' (or time on their hands to chase this further), then let's complain to everyone!!!!! They can't keep doing this can they?
Posted by Fish, 16 Oct 2006
Been getting calls from these every night
I have raised a harrasment case with my local Police statiopn and my Mobile Service Provider.
Having spoken to a superviser calling from this number i have obtained their address.
Retail Bank Collections
PO Box 607
Trinity Road
Halifax
HX1 2UJ
They can also be called on 08708501291.
It will ask for a account number, if you just hang on while it repeats itself 3 times you'll eventually be connected to an operator.
Posted by Dave, 02 Nov 2006
HBOS malicious calls
I too have been swamped by calls from HBOS, including one at 2.30am! Things reached a peak yesterday when, having just returned home from hospital after an operation, my telephone rang three times within the space of 45 minutes. One of those calls forced me to leave my bed so quickly that I tore open a wound in my groin. I am now taking action against HBOS Chairman for causing grievous bodily harm. If his excuse is that I owe money on my account, then why does he not send his heavies around immediately? He obviously is a firm believer in bullying tactics. I wonder whether he will have the courage to take the phone call I intend to place to him at 9 am this morning?
Suggestion: can we not obtain his telephone number and bombard him at all hours with similar calls?
Desmond Mason
descm@hotmail.com
Posted by Desmond Mason, 26 Oct 2006
08708503492
interesting to see that i am not the only one having to take calls from this number.The person calling is very rude,intimidating and aggressive.I am in the process of calling/emailing the omsbudman regarding these people who are calling.
Posted by phil, 01 Nov 2006
You are being scammed
Oh come off it, this isn't HBOS. And if you even momentarily entertain the thought that it might be, you are being scammed. Anyone who rings you and asks for any of your security details is a scammer - any bank wil tell you that. And I'm pretty certain that banks don't make a habit of harassing their customers about arrears that they do not have! Even if they had made a genuine mistake, surely they'd actually want to speak to you when you picked up the phone rather than compeletely ignore you. And why the hell would the Halifax ring from an 0870 nubmer anyway? Those people who've posted on this site saying that that they checked with the Halifax and that this is their number are lying to you! Even those who sound like they're on your side and say that they've complained to people like Watchdog and the ombudsman are just scummy, nasty lyers - they're just better at it that's all! Presumably they're either the scammers themselves or weirdos who like seeing other people get screwed over. If you get a call from this number again do not answer and do not ring back. YOU ARE BEING SCAMMED!
Posted by You are being scammed, 10 Nov 2006
Same here
i have had 12 phone calls over the weekend - i have 2 cards with the halifax, and phoned them, no outstanding balance.... i am hopping mad, now waiting on phone for the csa to contact the fraud dept. they can stuff their card - anyone going to watchdog?
Posted by Buffyslay, 06 Nov 2006
Re: pay your damn debts idiots
Maybe we could if the Tosser Group had not taken £1000's in bank charges off us in the first place.
Come on the revolution: http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/
- they tell you exactly how to hit the gets where it hurts and get some of your money back.
..yeh like a great many people I am one of those who has let his debt get out of hand, but at least I'm taking steps to sort it through CCCS....pity HBOS still think its ok to harrass folk - does it surprise you they are linked to the scam at Fairpack.
Posted by P*ssed Off who wished he hadnt heard of Bank of Scotland, 30 Nov 2006
08708503492
I had a call claiming I took a loan of £12500 in Oct. 05 and a payment of over £200 was now due. As an senior citizen, do they think that a loan would be granted to me as I am on income support
Posted by M.H.Smart, 22 Nov 2006
pay your damn debts idiots
i used to to work for HBOS, on thier credit card collections department, i can confirm that our inbound line is 0870 8501291, and the reason you cant call back is that we call from a mass dialer which does not recieve incoming calls. it is not a scam, pay your damn creditors, and to all the peopel who say be rude to them and such forth, you are the worst, the most ignorant, how about you get a damn job and pay your bills instead of harrasing phone opperators who actually have a job to do. yes they ask for security details (year of birth not even the date and month, and your postcode) if you dont think its a HBOS caller, ask them to confirm the placement of letters and numbers in your password (obviously not all of them) if a scammer had your password, i doubt they woudl care about your postcode and year of birth.
Posted by Goodall, 27 Nov 2006
08708503492
this number really pisses me offffff! everyday it rings, never any1 on end of line. 1471/3 the number and these an automatid voice on end which tells u absolutley ***all why they call'd. when i find out who, ill smash that phone overyour head then burn down you premises.if u still walking ill execute via chinese torture locked in a room eternally ring but you can never answer them!
Posted by gohst of eddisson, 16 Nov 2006
08708503492
I've also been getting calls from this number. I phoned this number: 08708501291 and I got someone that said he was calling on behalf of my credit card company he gave ME my details not the other way round and told me my account was over by £2.18 and that I had been sent a letter on 14th November. After I had given the guy a tongue lashing and agreed to call my credit card company to clear the overdue balance I told him that if I got any more calls I would report it to the police as it was harrassment. He was very apologetic and promised to put a stop to the calls. He also gave me the complaints department address which is related to my card so i can write and complain. Please do not leave a snotty comment saying im being scammed. I think that sometimes these calls are for real and those kind of comments just get peoples backs up. I'm a 37 year old director ... I think I know better than that!
Posted by amanda, 16 Nov 2006
this number
firstly, to goodall, i dont have an account with halifax/bank of scotland/sainsburys bank so they have absolutely no reason to call me so your theory about pay your damn bills is a load of crap..why should i pay a bill i dont even owe???
i've been getting calls off this number for the past 2-3 months and lately its gone up to sometimes as many as 20 calls a day from a few different numbers (08708503492, 08703302530, 08707210020, 08703302522). does anyone know what the other numbers are? i've never yet answered one because i didnt know what the number is but i'm now actually riled up enough to want to give them a piece of my mind because they have woken my 3 month old daughter up twice by calling this evening. plus, its getting on my nerves quite a bit now because i'm getting calls from half 8 in the morning til gone 9 at night. do they not know how unreasonable it is to call this late at night?
Posted by jemma, 07 Dec 2006
Genuine calls
I work for the HBOS Plc group. The number is genuine and the reason you cant call back is that it is an outbound no only, the inbound no is 08708501291. There are mistakes here surely, but the vast majority of the time the calls are because a customer has missed a payment, has gone over their limit or a combination of the two. We call to advise on amounts due, interest and charges being applied to the account and options to make payments and the consequences of not paying the card. We call on Halifax, Bank Of Scotland, Sainsbury's, Aqua credit cards. Some people do hang up and others will genuinely help you. Some people do get called too much but after working here the majority of the calls are justified. The comments on this site are made by the minority of customers.
Posted by mike, 10 Dec 2006
HBOS
If you are in arrears they will call, all you need to do is call the relevant 0870 and resolve the issue. I appreciate the number left does not connect to an agent but this is because it is an outbound number.
Just make the call and stop moaning, pay up you wingers
Posted by tit, 10 Dec 2006
HBOS
im the one who rings you all day, if you want me to stop, pay your bills and dont spend so much using CREDIT! spend what you earn! that new toaster will get taken away.
Posted by freddy patel, 10 Dec 2006
08708503492
This number belongs to Blair, Scott, Oliver who work on behalf of the Halifax. I too have been getting calls from this number constantly. Yes I do owe some money and have through a debt management company been paying monthly what i can afford until I had an accident and was unable to work but still managed to pay as much as I could. Now back at work and paying my usual amount, not good enough for them, now harrassing me constantly to increase the payment. Spoke to someone yesterday and said I go through my debt advisor, obviously didn't listen to a word I said as they are back on the phone today. Anyone know who I can complain to? as I am sick of being hassled when I am actually paying an amount each month. I know they are only doing a job but do they have to be so intimidating especially when you are actually trying to pay your debts off!!
Posted by Harrassed!, 08 Dec 2006
It's not a scam, but it's still not right
Had a few calls from this number for the past few weeks, usually 5-6 spaced out by half hour gaps. After missing one or two (due to being too busy to get to the phone and knowing anyone important has my mobile number), i answered to find the RUDEST person i have ever spoken to. Yes, as usual with these kinds of calls there was the standard silence at the start, and then I was asked if they could speak to someone I had never heard of, then when I asked who was calling the other person simply hung up on me. This situation has repeated itself a few times now, and is very frustrating.
Shame on you HBOS, sort it out.
Posted by annoyed72, 14 Dec 2006
It is a scam, and its not halifax.
This is a scam, they ask for your personal details which is against the law. Anyone who listens to a lot of that shit on the last few pages saying its not a scam or it is the halifax/HSBO is a part of the scam too, dont fall for it folks, and just call BT and get the number sorted.
Thanks.
Posted by Adz, 21 Dec 2006
08708503492
I work on a helpdesk for a retail company. One of our stores has just reported that for the past 3 months they have been receiving about 10 calls a day from this number.
After reading Mike's comments from the 10 Dec I called the number given, 08708501291. Although they couldn't say why they were calling the store, after I mentioned that the calls were stopping customers getting through they have agreed to remove the stores number from their dialling system.
Posted by ELC IT Helpdesk, 03 Jan 2007
I'm not with HBOS!
I don't even have a bank account with HBOS anymore but I'm still getting pestered by this number. I've also registered with the TPS about 2 years ago but still getting this number calling me everyday.
I've got caller id on my phone so when any 0800, 0870 or similar number phones me I don't bother picking it up.
Posted by Kevin McFadzean, 03 Jan 2007
CHANGE YOUR NUMBER!
Best idea is to change your phone number. It does cosy about £30.00 but it is fully worth it. If you don't want to try that, change to NTL/Telewest or to BT and get a free new number.
It's good fun taunting the telephone operators though. they arn't the sharpest tools.
I was receiving calls for xome 3 months and they kept asking for someone who doesn't even live here. Names wern't even similar but they kept ringing and never took no for an answer. I gave up answering all calls until I dialed 1471 in the end.
They charge the stupid ammounts to keep the call centres running
Posted by Mazzxtc, 09 Jan 2007
anyone found out what they want?!
I have a halifax credit card which is actually in credit and has been for months. That's the only link I have to Halifax, and yet I got a call from 0870 850 3492 on my mobile, and then later on my work phone (where would they have got my numbers from?!) saying it was the Halifax with an important 'personal banking' matter. I checked it with Halifax, they said it wasn't them, but I have a feeling it is a company linked to them. Does anyone know why else they might call if I don't owe any money? Selling card insurance or something? they wouldn't tell me unless i give them my details, but that's not happening. Thanks for any help
Posted by Scott, 11 Jan 2007
Figured it out
Got another call, and after speaking to them for a while, I realised they had enough of my information to be genuine, so I told them my house number and year of birth as security - they were phoning on behalf of Norwich & Peterborough, who I've just taken out a credit card with, and over the christmas period I forgot to make my first payment - I'd already sorted it out last week, but obviously it'd been passed on to them to chase me up on it. The first phonecall I got was from a bloke basically just shouting 'Halifax', 'personal banking matter', 'important', without actually speaking to me, but this last call was with a very helpful lady, who would easily have been able to sort it out to begin with had I spoken to her first. Shame they also employ morons.
Posted by Scott, 15 Jan 2007
I reported HBOS to OFCOM
As the title says, after a few days of receiving silent calls from HBOS for 3 days, I informed OFCOM of the situation. Guess what... no more calls.
The ironic thing here is that I am not a customer and never have been. When I asked HBOS staff/computer to stop calling they couldn't process the information because I wasn't a customer.
I have also informed the BBC's Watchdog prog of the situation, and I am awaiting a reply.
If they call again, they'll be getting my own 'personalised' answering service... cheeky girls (the best of), Yellow polka dot bikini (ultra extended release) and Eurovision No. 1's (also extended).
I suggest you all do the same.
p.s. i have much better music than the above listed :p
Posted by Miffed HBOS, 18 Jan 2007
Just Doing Their Job
Had a total of five calls in three days from 08708503492.
OK so I had a good Christmas and was ill over New Year.
Payment to my card was two days late but it was made.
What I don't need is the abuse of this bunch of idiots doing the Gagster Mob con.
There should be a law against it! Oh, there is!
Telephoned the Ofcom Contact Centre is 020 7981 3040
Posted by Stevie, 19 Jan 2007
I do not want Halifax credit card
I have been receiving calls from this number for the last two months. I called Halifax and was informed it is not their number. After reading comments on this site, my mistery has been solved. I recently opened an account with Halifax and last month I failed to make the payment towards the credit card of the statement which I did not receive. I have so far cleared all the amount I had spent and I will never use the damned card again. The nuisance is unbearable. Halifax should get a more civilised way to collect their debts.
Posted by L. W. Muchir, 22 Jan 2007
0870 850 3492
It's really annoying! Same problem, they call and then the caller hangs up!
Posted by Sunita, 23 Jan 2007
How to stop them legally for free
Send this letter to them ... I did and to any others who are bothering you ... they have to stop or face a large fine....
Your Street
Town
City
Postcode
DATE HERE
Company Name
Road
Town
City / County
Postcode
Re: Harassment by telephone
ACCOUNT NUMBER: XXXXXXX
Dear Sirs
I am writing in relation to the quantity and frequency of telephone calls that I have received from your company, which I deem to be personally harassing.
I have verbally requested that these stop, but I am still receiving calls. (Delete if necessary)
I now require all further correspondence from your company to be made in writing only.
I am of the view that your continued harassment of me by telephone puts you in breach of Section 40 of the Administration of Justice Act 1970, and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
If you continue to harass me by telephone, you will also be in breach of the Wireless Telegraphy Act (1949) and I will report you to both Trading Standards and The Office of Fair Trading, meaning that you will be liable to a substantial fine.
Be advised that any further telephone calls from your company will be recorded. (**Even if you don?t yet have recording equipment!!**)
Yours faithfully,
NAME HERE
Posted by Allan, 26 Jan 2007
Good news, bad news
The calls from the company associated with the Building Society stopped after I called their HQ and was assured I'd be taken off their list. They were looking for a previous occupant of my flat who presumably owed them money.
Apparently these silent calls are legal, as long as they don't do it too regularly. If only. See link below:
http://www.auditsunlimited.co.uk/2005/11/ofcom-action-on-silent-calls.shtml
After a couple of weeks of silence, I got a call tonight from 08708 507618. Allegedly 'Ideal Homes' according to other links on the internet.
These aren't scams, just companies after your money who care not a jot for your privacy. They take your name off one database but it's on so many others it's just a token gesture, and a new annoyance takes the place of the previous one. I wouldn't be surprised if they sell on the number, pass-the-parcel style.
Posted by donttieupmyphone, 19 Mar 2007
hbos
this number is infact a hbos number - dealing with Halifax/Bank of Scotland/Aqua/sainsburys loans,credit cards and bank account ARREARS.
it will call customers that are in arrears untill there is a suitable payment plan on accounts. They ask 2 security questions at the begining of the call to ensure they are speaking to the right person.
if you dont want to be called by them, simply visit your local bank of scotland or halifax branch and ask them to call the collections dept.
if people dealt with their debts then they would not get calls.
Posted by amon, 01 Feb 2007
08708503492
I too am getting lots of calls from these people, they ask for the same person everytime, which is not me and I dont know them, when you tell this, they are either rude or hamg up-fed up with it..
Posted by Neil, 15 Feb 2007
08708 503492
Resubmitting as my previous comment never appeared (maybe it has to be moderated first, or maybe I got the verification code wrong).
I have been called several times by this and similar 08708 numbers recently. I have no Halifax account and absolutely no debt anywhere at all. How low a business practice is calling someone then hanging up without saying a word? It's just plain intimidating, not to mention it ties up the phone for genuine emergency calls and puts me off my work when I'm trying to concentrate. I now have an idea who it is because of this website, but for those without access to this information they may think it's a burglar casing the house to see if someone is at home before breaking in, or it could be a malicious prank caller. If this isn't illegal it damn well should be. As I said in my last comment though, maybe it's financially attractive to the powers that be to allow this nonsense to continue. It could be your grandparents that these wastes of oxygen are calling, I hope they get sued out of existence. Get a real job guys.
Posted by donttieupmyphone, 22 Feb 2007
08708 503492
Please remove my previous 2 comments that I submitted, I did some research and found out how to stop the calls. Phone BT and enquire about the 'Silent Call Guard' service. The Halifax were not aware of whether this was one of their numbers, I shall give them the benefit of the doubt and I apologise if it is nothing to do with them. The number is actually an automated 'Powerdialler' from a sales & marketing company, identity unknown, though I'm just happy now that I have a way to stop the calls.
Posted by donttieupmyphone, 22 Feb 2007
Harrassment - Offence under S40 AJA
I am currently pursuing a complaint through through the Office of Fair Trading against Sainsbury's Bank for the reasons stated in the other comments on this site. The tactics beiung employed are in contravention of Section 40 of the Adnministration of Justice Act. I strongly suggest that anyone suffering from calls of this nature, contact the OFT London who are aware of the problem. Good Luck!!!!!
Posted by S D Lanaway, 24 Feb 2007
payback
has anyone thought about buying themselves a premium rate number, and registering it with their bank account at halifax?
That was if ever you get called, they pay you - within a short while halifax will have paid you debt off for you.
Ah, it's hard being this clever.
Posted by William Leigh, 27 Feb 2007
Phone Calls
The problem with getting calls from these 0870 numbers (all of the one's mentioned) is that they refuse to reveal who they are until you have given them personal information. Have they not realised that everyone is cautious these days due to the increase in identity theft and we don't know if these calls are genuine at the start. I am in debt and am have a fantastic debt management company helping me to pay off my debts at a monthly amount I can afford. I appreciate that companies are keen to recover money owed to them, but the people I owe money to have been told (numerous times) who to contact. I get several calls a day - to both my landline and mobile - from 0870 330 2522 and I refuse to confirm information to them unless they state who they are and warn them that if they refuse to do so I will terminate the call. As they always refuse to confirm who they are, the call is ended pretty quickly. Being in debt is stressfull enough, without companies constantly calling even though there is a payment plan in place and they have been accepting the money paid (quite happily) to them via a debt management company. The people that call should just start announcing who they are, then more people may talk to them.
Posted by Jax, 30 Mar 2007
Me to....
I've had two calls over the past day from 0780 8503492. I don't owe them any money and wish they would stop calling. If I want to discuss my account I'll phone them. When the female agent asked me to confirm my details and I refused, she was really rude!
Posted by Claire, 29 Mar 2007
hbos
after recieving having of these arseholes calling me repeatedly over the last few weeks and trying to get me to give them details about me and any accounts I have with hbos, it turns out that this is a collections department of halifax plc re late and underpayments etc, I think they should read the data protection act and the consumer credit agreements we all sign when we do buisness with this monopoly that is hbos, they are wankers!!!
Posted by gary cap, 29 Apr 2007
08708403492
We have been recieving calls from this number 3 or 4 times a week (thats whilst we have been in) asking for my stepson, who is never in, but they have not been identifying themselves to any of us and when asked if we can help or take a message they just hang up. If they are chasing money how do they expect to get it if they will not leave a contact no and company name. This is a very unprofessional and annoyoing way to go about things.
Is there a way to stop this?
Posted by lou, 14 Apr 2007
Phone them back!
Was getting p**sed off with missed "IMPORTANT BUSINESS" calls from 08707210020, 08703302522 etc etc...even when I answered the would just hang up. I rang the numbers back and they would either hang up or put me straight on hold.
One time a voice did finally answer, asking if I was a particular someone, that particular someone being myself! I told them to ring me straight back which they did and they told me they were going to help me consolidate my loans. What F**KING loans?!?!
Very p*ssed off as they have been phoning constantly for months....and leaving messages with my partner which had me worrying I might actually be in trouble/due someone I don't know some money....
If anyone knows who the company is please post official info so I can complain.
Posted by TB303, 17 Apr 2007
damn phone calls
they wouldn't give us there full name or say what they wanted so we told them to fluff off.
Posted by dolly, 20 Apr 2007
About Blair, Oliver and Scott Limitted Debt Collectors or if you like Hboss
Well I must say that it is verry niec to know that I am not alone out there with what has happed to me.
Not that haveing to dule with these fulls is any way a nice thing. But I am intested in all the blogs that are on here.
And what you are all saying about your duling with Hboos. My story is not that much diftent to what I have read so far. Last summer time I tryed to closs down my accunt. I payed the Hboss or the Hailfax what thay say that I ownd them. I did all the things that thay told me to do. I them thouth no think more about , an till two mouths later.
When I got the frist of many letters from them. Saying that the account that I thouth was shote down was still open. And that I was over my overdufe limet.
Posted by artists, 20 Apr 2007
debt collections
By calling customers and getting them to repay their debt HBOS are reducing the amount of money lost so they can keep lending money to people who really need it. So stop complaining the whole lot of you if you paid your bills when you were suppost to you wouldnt be getting these phone calls and for the people who are getting the calls by mistake just take a moment and tall the person on the phone that their customer no longer lives hear, but be polite they are just doing their jobs and dont deserve to be shouted at!
Posted by HBOS friend, 01 May 2007
Bleeding halifax
Get a grip with this 08708503492
number.
My name is not dawn right or wright or who ever she is. I have owned this number for the life of the phone so its not her number.
Im fed up with you hanging up on me when i try to tell you that its not her number ITS MINE.
I have never and will never have an accout with halifax or any of the associated banks. And im not over draw or owing money to anyone anywhere.
AGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH stop getting me all excited that someone is actually calling my mobile for once when it only you .
Posted by J Heath, 17 May 2007
Doing their job!?
Doing their job!? That's outrageous. I bought my mobile online less than a week ago, and don't even have credit on it yet. I have been recieving calls from 08708503492 numerous times everyday, only ever getting a person on the other end twice. They then ask me if I am someone (Who's name I can never catch), then ask me to confirm my address. At this point I hang up.
I do have an account with RBS but I am only 16! I don't owe money, in fact I only have around £30 in my bank that has been gathering dust for years. There is no cause for them to ring me!
But if I can't stop this im gonna have a laugh anyway! I like the whistle idea very much, maybe I'll try speaking in a very over exxagerated accent; try to make them laugh. I do hope someone has a solution for this though.
Posted by Daniel, 30 May 2007
HBOS
THE WAY TO STOP THIS IS TO GIVE THEM FALSE INFORMATION NEXT TIME THEY CALL. THEY WILL THEN UPDATE THEIR RECORDS AND NEVER CONTACT YOU AGAIN. PEACE AT LAST.
DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THESE PEOPLE.
Posted by Anonymous, 13 Jun 2007
08708 503492
I've been getting a few silent/cut off calls recently. I don't think they've all been from this number though. I've started listening for the initial silence on the line before I say anything and if it's a call centre I place the handset on the floor and go back to what I was doing.
After reading earlier messages I wonder if it's something about my Sainsbury's loan. I'm in the process of switching bank accounts but the direct debit should be transfered automatically. I'll check that the payments continue to go to them and if so I'LL continue to give THEM the silent treatment. If there is a problem they can write a letter.
Posted by AH, 06 Jun 2007
Data Protection Act: The Bully's Charter
Like everyone above I too am a victim of this telephone bullying. When I bought my new home in Weybridge two years ago the previous owners took the house landline number with them. BT allocated me a new "unused" number which had previously been a business number for a Mr Wu, who owned a Chinese Take-away in the town that closed 3 years ago. At first everything was quiet, and then we started receiving late-night orders for food from people who had found our telephone number on the Internet under Chinese takeaway food services. After a lot of effort I managed to get the incorrect Internet entries removed (no thanks to BT).
Now 2 years later we are getting calls from 08708503492. If I try and call back I ALWAYS get a recorded message "One of our agents called and will call you back later" then I am cut off. VERY clever. No actual identification information is given in this recorded message. When eventually I do get to receive a live call the agent, he claims to be from Sainsbury's. Very disingenuous, as there is no mention of the dreaded word Bank. He asks to speak to Mr Lee Wu, who is apparently still trading (but I can't find out where) and giving out a 3 years out of date business number to cover his tracks. So this anonymous bank is trying to chase defaults from over three years ago? I think not...
Mr Wu in the meantime is laughing all the way to the bank!!!
Posted by NOT Mr Lee Wu, 03 Jun 2007
Harrassment
I've been getting calls from 08708503492 for the past two months asking for someone else. This week alone I've had fifty missed calls from them. I have spoken to five different representatives, telling them that they have got a wrong number and to please delete my number from their database. They have all promised to do so, then half an hour later I get another call. I've asked for the company name three times to lodge a complaint and "they're not at liberty to disclose that information". The calls start from 8.00am through to 9.00pm, weekdays and weekends.
Posted by Kimberley Hicks, 08 Jun 2007
08708503492
I too have been plagued by this number as early a 08:00 AM, they ring 8 times a day, and 9 times out of 10 hang up on you.
On 2 occasions I got to speak they asked for me by name, then hung up when I said it was me speaking.
On the 3rd occasion, I asked for a supervisor, they said "why" then hung up again.
I got as far as starting to shout abuse as soon as they spoke, and almost reporting them to the police for harrasment.
On a hunch from other posts, I spoke to "Halifax One" credit card today, and it is indeed their debt chasing department, the last 3 digits may change, but anything 08708503 onwards is the Halifax.I have lodged an official complaint via the phone, which they have to respond in writing to by 5 working days.
It looks like I set up my auto-payments wrong, so my credit card is 36 pounds in arrears - I have paid it off so this may not happen again, but how bad is this doing their image.
I cannot believe a professional company can have a debt-chasing agency, which judging by the foreign accents I eventually heard, is off-shore. They hang up on you, do not answer questions, will not put you through to supervisors, and never even tell you which company they are from.
It is no wonder that most people here thing they are a scam, how many people have set up a call blacker I wonder - what a shoddy way to do business.
Posted by Paul, 12 Jun 2007
i work for hbos
if u pay your debts then u would not get calls however many times you say u get them, we are not scammers we are doing our job, your debts are your own faults, just pay them and stop us wasing our time and yours
Posted by jonny borrel, 12 Jul 2007
08703302522
The 08703302522 number is something to do with yes loans, if you are getting calls from this you have likely applied for a loan through them. What evr you do do not pay money to yes loans up front, they tell you have a loan and you have to pay a £50 admin fee for the loan to be processed. This is not true and the vast amount of people who pay never get a loan, just google their name and read some reviews! This company needs to be on watchdog!! OOh and they always hang up when you answer, the idea is to get you to phone back and cost you money, sowatch out!!
Posted by Mr Wise, 13 Jul 2007
0870 850 1291
If You're not sure if it is your creditor calling then ask them for a number to call them back and match it to your statements.
MOst of the people that complain about these calls (Note most NOT ALL) are the one's who try to ignore there debts and leave them to swell up. The best thing is to speak to your creditors . Even if CAB, CCCS, PAY PLAN advise you not to . If you don' speak to them the calls will continue yes because these debt manager company really dont communicate and yes the same can be said for the banks. But if you keep in touch they can always hold your calls for an extended time.
And make small payments to your creditors if you can't afford the full amount as believe it or not it is your debt and you still have a responsibility to pay it end of.
As for complaints yes sometimes the callers can be rude but what most of you forget is that you start giving them lip and start swearing at them . Many people say they dont but i seen alot of cases when i used to work for a bank where customers say they weren't rude the guy on the phone was . And it's been the other way around . People just get uptight when they've been made aware that they are in the wrong.
As many occasions people still go and spend money they dont have and blame the banks (they gave me the card it's there fault) I mean come on does your mother still dress you and walk you to work. Seriously grow up. Someone can give me a gun doesn't mean i'm gonna go shoot someone does it. Just because you have a credit card doesn't mean you have to use it . Seems like you're blaming the bank to hide your own stupidity.
One last thing as for those who are fighting about bank charges. You're hurting yourself and everyone else who pays their bills on time and spends within their means. Ask yourself if you spent only what you earned would you have been CHARGED, NOOO. I can understand yes banks do charge to much at times so why request all itback why not half of the fee's at the end of the day you were in the wrong most of the time.
And overdrafts the money is not yours if you're in you overdraft it's the banks. So dont complain if they close it or reduce it due to you spending more than you earn.
The people that piss me off are the one's that say why do i have to pay it back i'll just go bankrupt. Fine if thats the only alternative left by all means, but if you're doing it to spite the bank then you're no better than a fraudster and YOU cost the goverment money which means we get taxed more. Take ownership of your problems for crying out loud.
And one last word of advise to those who are in fincial difficulties.
Dont use Debt Manager companies that charge you for their services as they are the worst, they only do half a job say they do things but dont actually. Yes I know this as close friend works for one of them.
Try using CAB, PAY PLAN, CCCS, or there are more that are funded by the banks and goverment to help for free.
As with paying ones they don't actually start to help until you've paid them their fee's first which could have cleared alot of your debts.
And for thos people that think it's your way or no way and not interested in what the banks are advising you. Then hope all your belonings get re-possed. As at the end of the day you borrowed the money from them so you need to do it their way.
And no i dont always agree with Banks but it's just annoying when people complain about this stuff only becuase they do not take responsibility for their own actions . I still agreed charges should be lowered YES.
But if you dont like it , then keep your money at home not in a bank and if your home gets robbed and money stolen at least be thankfull you didn't get any charges for it .
Posted by John, 23 Jul 2007
0870 850 1291
If you are getting calls for someone who does not live there , then call the bank and advise them of this they can track number and get it taken off.
But think of it from there side. Someone owes you money and refusing to speak to you. All of a sudden it's a wrong number (what). So that is why they dont always delete it straight away because poeple who are in debt by nature lie as they feel somewhat ashamed of it so try to prolong it. If you have someone in your house who is in debt and calls comtinue and they've told you they have spoken to the bank , the chances are they are lying otherwise the calls would have stopped. (This is just in some cases not all)
With Debt Manager companies , they will tell you to not speak to creditors they will do it . In truth this is not correct . Because you signed the contract you take ownership of the debt and you will always be contacted unless someone legally takes the debt off your hands. The Debt Manager company will only be spoken to if they phone your creditor and only to do with putting an arrangement in place .
When they say write to your creditor to freeze the account , don't as most banks will tell you not until they recive an offer. The Debt Manager company for some reason is just wasting time.
The worst thing you can do is pay nothing to a creditor as then it seems you're running away from it. So pay something to it until an arrangement is in place.
Next is don't swear down the phone to them they are only doing their job and yes they have to ask the questions over and over. They are not stupid they have to follow rules. The job is not easy with people like you screaming , swearing and throwing racial abuse at them . Most call centers are UK based so dont be a rasist and ask them are you calling me from **** you ****, it just shows how much of a little uneducated person you are. You get laughed at because you stoop to such a low level. If there is no one there then hang on 10 sec's someone will answer and if they hang up then note the time and send in a complaint . Trust me the banks hate it when this happens to as it effects them.
Last thing don't run away from the problem and don't ignore it (The longer you leave it the worse it becomes) So speak to your bank they are there to help . It might not seem like it but thats only because they're not doing it your way . They have policies in place for a reason.
Take responsibility for your finances you should know when your bill/s is due to come thru the post so if it doesn't call them and tell them it hasn't come and they'll send another one. Don't do it a month after you were ment to get it . Cause then it is your own fault they don't control the Royal Mail if you dont get it. It's not up to them to make sure it arrives the post it thats all they can do. Learn to stand on your own and walk away from this babied society that is becoming UK where people no longer take ownership for their own actions.
This is just to help those that are in financial trouble . I'm not saying my advise is what fits all banks but from my own experience this is usually what works best.
Posted by No Name, 23 Jul 2007
08703302522
I have just called this number and they told me that they are called direct.(dot) solutions??
Tried to google name but couldn't really find anyhting out. has anybody heard of them?
Posted by Jo, 24 Jul 2007
08708501291
i've been getting calls from this number now,
and the second time, i asked him kindly to give me information about his adress, name etc. :
name: mohammed
Number :08708501291
allegedly calling on behalf of bank of scotland customer service dumfermline
their number:
0845 7283848
after i held him up for 3 minutes to get this information he told me that he had wasted too much time talking to me and ended the conversation.
Posted by anonymous, 04 Aug 2007
That number
yes i work for that company and if you all recieve calls from that number it means that your all in arreas unlucky
Posted by dave, 08 Aug 2007
if its not a scam ?
I dont owe money, i have never not paid a bill and do not have credit agreements/cards/loans
08708503492
So why is it im getting upto 3 calls a day on my mobile ?
"no milk today thanks"
Posted by clive, 22 Aug 2007
RE-HBOS STAFF COMMENTS
Having read all the comments from employees of HBOS who are quite obviously devoid of intelligence, which is probably why they have such deadend jobs, i feel i have to comment.
The way you are carelessly harrassing people is disgracefull. Whilst i can fully understand it must be frustrating for you when people for one reason or another find themselves unable to pay their debts, sometimes due to bad character BUT ALSO ON OCCASION DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND THEIR CONTROL, i find it disgusting that you have taken it upon yourselves to insult people "en-mass" without knowing people's circumstances. Some of the people on here have no doubt got perfectly justifiable reasons for not being able to pay their debts.
I have been receiving your harrasing phone calls for about 12 months now in which you call me on a virtual daily basis asking me if a mrs conway or something is in. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A MRS CONWAY NEITHER DO I KNOW A MRS CONWAY. Whenever i inform you of this you immediately hang up even when i ask who you are & then of course when i call the number back it just gives me the recorded message saying "one of our representatives tried to call" & then hangs up. So what exactly do you suggest i do to stop you calling... I mean as you clearly imply in your messages on here that your system is perfect & you wouldnt hassle us if we paid our debts. WELL GUESS WHAT.. I HAVE NEVER HAD NOR EVER WILL HAVE AFTER THIS RIDICULOUS EPISODE ANY DEALINGS WITH HALIFAX OR ANY OF THE COMPANIES YOU VERY BADLY REPRESENT. So before you insult people & act as judge & jury get your facts straight... You will need to as i have contacted the police who are coming to see me tomorrow to look at this website & read your disgraceful comments.
Posted by mr clarke, 05 Sep 2007
08708503492
I have just had a discussion with HBOS and this is one of their numbers. I have made a formal complaint and threatened to have a chat with the Financial Ombudsman. If YOU owe money to HBOS then this is why they are calling. They would apparently rather annoy you with phone calls early in the morning than waste their time having a discussion with you in the branch when you try to make an appointment. I, personally, do not owe HBOS any money at all.
Posted by Graham polley, 24 Sep 2007
re in response
surely whem they ring you the 1st thing they should tell you is why tey are calling .
not a security question.
i too have had many calls from this number
Posted by john broome, 24 Sep 2007
RE-HBOS STAFF COMMENTS
RE-HBOS STAFF COMMENTS
With response to Mr. Clarke's message:
Firstly let me state the job role which you state is a dead-end job, is not a dead-end job. If you mean by working with customers on a daily basis using mathematical skills thru-out the day and thinking for yourself is a dead-end job then so is 90% of all jobs that are worked around the world.
Obviously you have written this message in an angered state as I can see by your educational level of spelling and by the fact of how much you can read and think.
It has been stated on here many times of which number to call to get the calls stop and a letter to send which will have the same affect has been provided as well.
Nowhere on here has it stated the banking system in which it calls it?s customers is perfect in fact even the staff have said that mistakes will happen as nothing is 100% perfect.
It has also been stated by the staff that their messages are directed towards the people who are in debt and do nothing to help them selves. As said ?Most not all? I believe has been said a few times.
And are you not the same as the people you are complaining about by not knowing the facts as you have clearly not read thru this and by disrespecting the people who are doing this as a job.
With regards to the insults, once again you have failed to mention the amount of times people have insulted the staff as well.
I don?t care what world you are from everything is a two way street. If you are going to be arrogant towards people then expect the same treatment back. Don?t think because you are on a higher income than everyone else or you?re a customer you have the right to treat anyone with insults or any other abusive language.
And you can call the police this is a public web page where you gain information are you going to call the police on every web page or internet site that you don?t like or find offending. Shame on you, to live in such a close minded world.
And I will end this with one of the lines from your own message.
?So before you insult people & act as judge & jury gets your facts straight.. .?
Posted by Reads the page, 09 Oct 2007
08708501291
I received several telephone calls saying that they are from the Halifax and asking for my Date of Birth and correct post code.They refuse to give any details such as, Branch,location, or what is all about.
This morning I discovered that it is the Halifax One C/C ( Retail Bank Collections ). I am astonished HBOS haven't got a more efficient procedure to contact their customers.
Peter Chronis
Posted by Peter Chronis, 12 Oct 2007
automated dialers
some of these companies use "automated" dialers to dial a range of numbers(usually programmed into a computer connected to a phone line
which will then call the number and connect it to an agent when the phone is answered usualy the dialer dials more numbers than the agents/operators can answer
that is why when you answer you get a brief silence before the agent speaks or the call is disconnected because there are no agents available to take the call ( this practice is also known as cold calling).
Posted by expert, 12 Oct 2007
Why don't they state what they are calling about
With response to the question 'why don?t they state why they are calling?? Once you read the Data Protection Act you will understand. They can only confirm it is a personal banking matter. If they so stated they were calling about your credit card, loan or bank account then they have given out vital information about your situation. You might not want someone in your home to know you have one of these and any one can say they are Mr. or Mrs. Jones and this is the reason for security. The main question they will ask is the year that you were born and postcode. If you feel uneasy giving this out ask them for a number so you may call them back, and state it is because you do not feel safe giving it to them. 8 times out of 10 they will leave you with the number.
The best thing to do is to speak to them either by taking the call or calling back. If you refuse to speak to them then they will continue to call. I know we all have difficulties in life financially but you do need to take responsibility for it and discuss it with them.
At the end of the day if you do you know you have done all that you can to try and resolve the issue.
Posted by Mr. Read, 19 Oct 2007
Halifax Number 08708503492
Looked into this on behalf of my Mum who had a number of rude 20 somethings calling asking for date of Birth details.
Called Halifax complaints number 084572253519 who confirmed it is one of their numbers.
Posted by It doesnt have to be like this!!, 25 Oct 2007
They dont even want me!?
i keep getting calls from this number, when i pick up they ask for someone i have never heard of! i tell them that i don't know who the person is but they wont believe me! they just keep calling and they're getting ruder every time! i spoke to them just a minute and they tell me that they have spoken to that person on my mob number!!! what's wrong with these people!?
Posted by josh black, 12 Dec 2007
08708503492
this number belongs to an agency who works on behalf of hbos, and other financial institute. Unfortunatley for us on the receiving end they are the financial version of the Terminator not very bright and won't stop no matter what you say or prove. I have changed all my telephone numbers so that they can't get a hold of me unless it is via post. Which I send off to my official receiver so thay can deal with it. It is in the comapaies best iterest to keep pestering those they have been given details for as they are given targets to meet on reclaiming what is beleived to be owed. So Listen to them first then have a bit of fun. Then contact the halifax credit services and ask why they have given your details to them for no reason.
Posted by none, 06 Dec 2007
0870 3302522
Ok, so I've received a telephone call from the above number, by the sounds of it, it's YES Loans, who I've never had a loan with and applied over 2 years ago for a loan with them, which never materialised.
Posted by C. East, 10 Dec 2007
YES LOANS NUMBER
Just call your telephone service provider (BT, O2, T-Mobile or whatever) and ask them to bar those numbers.
You'll never get a call from them again and they'll get the message.
Posted by Mr Pibbles, 11 Dec 2007
Blair Oliver Scott
Ofcom brought in new regs in March that companies that use auto dialers should have no more than 3% silent calls in any 24 hour period, most DCA's are outside of these guidlines and presure groups such as CAG are on the case...
http://www.users.waitrose.com/~silentcalls/Enforcement.html
Posted by berty, 09 Dec 2007
HBOS
This number 08708503492 has called my mobile five times a day for the last month. Each time I have answered it the caller hangs up. I found out who they are by a Google search of the number. Now I know, I can call them and tell them as this harrassment ends today (Christmas Eve)! PS. I owe nobody!!!
Posted by Sofie, 24 Dec 2007
calls and txt
well ive been getting same calls and also txt the txt state they are from halifax and are asking a woman to call them and last time i looked im definatley not a woman halifax state it isnt them! and my number is ex directory and tps reqistered. I did speak to the company thought they state they are halifax i said well this isnt mrs x number oh we'll remove it sir they say and then can u guess what happens? more calls!
Posted by dave, 30 Dec 2007
Harrassed, but hopefully no longer
Like others in this thread I too have been bothered by silent calls from 08708503492. Based on a previous comment I called HBOS Retail Banking Collections on 08708501291 and spoke to a helpful chap (Rav Sharma) who confirmed the calls were coming from their (Halifax/ RBOS/ Aqua Credit Card) automated dialling system. However, he could not find any account information related to me (because I'm not a customer) despite searching by telephone number and was therefore unable to remove my number. The most likely cause is a wrong number against someone else?s account.
I went through to Custom Services (08457283848)and spoke to Stacy Gaunt who was very helpful and using a different system did find my number though confirmed that I didn't have any accounts with them! She promised to get my number removed (via another department) and ensure I didn't get ant mailings (which I haven't), She also promised to write to me confirming this action once taken.
A couple of other approaches to this issue are:
1)Make a Data Subject Request under the Data Protection Act specifically requesting any information they have about your phone number. They can charge around £20 for this but would be forced to spend considerable more searching all their systems for information on you and would have to reply within 28 days. Should they fail to find it and subsequently still call you, then I think you have a good case for the DP Registrar (or whatever he is called these days) to investigate HBOS for failure to comply with the DPA causing them some of the headache we are all getting from them.
2)TPS (Telephone Preference Service) - I raised with Stacy that I have subscribed to this for years and I'm sure HBOS policies state they comply with it(Stacy implied but didn't confirm they did) and therefore how come I'm getting called? I suggested she pass this to whoever in HBOS has an interest in this area which she said she would. There may be some leverage here by kicking up a stink with TPS, HBOS and possible the press, demonstrating how they are failing to act appropriately. I consider this to be a course of last action favouring direct communications, but so many people are suffering from this with little power to make a change.
So hopefully the 5 hrs I've spent on this since being woken by them this morning will be the last I will have to deal with them. Oh, by the way I shan't be opening any accounts with HBOS, Sainsbury, Aqua Credit and suggest others don't either.
Posted by Simon L, 03 Jan 2008
Really bad system
I too was bothered for months by the 08708503492 number. In the hundreds of times they 'phoned me, never once did it connect!
It is not possible to 'phone them back, so I had no idea who was torturing me, or why.
Ofcom can do little, but I had the happy idea of checking for the number on the internet, and found the culprits. (And found that HBOS are notorious for this torment.) I also found a landline number for them & 'phoned them. Yes, there WAS a financial problem I wasn't aware of (a direct debit I'd thought had been set up hadn't been) but I asked why they couldn't just have sent me a letter. These calls went on for months - could they not have just ensured that there was a return 'phone number given when I tried to return the calls!
I do think such a volume of silent calls should be illegal. I had no idea who was calling, or why. Surely they want to sort out financial matters quickly?
What an appalling system.
Posted by Furious, 05 Jan 2008
08708503492
Hi, I have also been receiving huge amounts of calls from this number aswell, but I am not answering, if they want me really bad they can send me a letter end of!!!
Posted by Anna, 12 Jan 2008
08703302522
rung me 4 times today on my mobile - might be YES loans but i aint applied for a loan with them - who gave them my mobile number i wonder
Posted by liz, 20 May 2008
Complaint
Surely there is somebody to complain too about this, the first time it called I ignored it cos i was busy, an i wanted to check it out online before returning the call... However they have since rang another 3 times in the last coupla hours, I have answered the call straight away only for it to hang up straight away, its really pi55in me off, an from the sounds of it i've had a dam sight fewer calls than most other have...
Is there no-one we could complain to en-masse?
Posted by Rob Gray, 22 Apr 2008
08708503492
I would never normaly get abusive with people calling from companies because they are just doing their job. HOWEVER!!! they have called at least once or twice a day even on the weekends for weeks know. I have politely told them "who ever they are trying to contact does not live here and hasn't for at least 5 years and it is not the red lion! or what ever pub they were trying to contact" for the first week and a half. After this, sorry! but I loose my rag!! Every time they say "sorry we will take you off the system and you wont be contacted again. WILL THEY EVER DO THIS?!? or do i have to get the number blocked.
Posted by GETTING ANNOYED NOW!!, 06 May 2008
Why ?
Been woken up a few times at 7am by phone calls from 08708503492 and then been recieving them all through the day all through the week each time they have asked for someone different . Am i in trouble and can they take money off me calling them ?
Posted by Hannah Game, 18 Apr 2008
08708503492
Been reading all the comments.... had one ofthese this morning ... asked if MrsX was there asked who was calling and they cut the call! Muppets !
Posted by anon, 24 Feb 2008
0870 8503492
I have been called by this number since Sept 07, several times a day. I have spoken to an agent a number of times and requested the number is removed as the person they are seeking is nothing to do with me, I have never heard of them. Today, I got fed up and demanded that my number was removed or further action will be taken. I was kindly advised that the only way to not receive these phonecalls was to contact my service provider and change my phone number. I am now reporting this to Ofcom. The address details for nuisance calls are as follows.
Information Commissioner?s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
As an aside these calls took up my entire voicemessage box over Christmas and New Year and so family and friends could not leave me a message.
Posted by Mischievous_Wabbit, 23 Feb 2008
regarding the number
I have never banked with halifax and I still am getting the calls constantly, it got so bad i ended up reporting them to the police who have given me an email address to complain about the calls to that email is : complaint.info@financial-ombudsman.org.uk the more people that carry on complaing the more hope we have of stopping these calls the police cannot do anything as they are technically not doing anything illegal hope this is of some help
Posted by abby pearson, 24 Mar 2008
08708 503492
I have received 3 calls from this number today.
One on my landline and two on my mobile. Where the hell they gat the numbers I really don't know.
After contacting HBOS fraud they have confirmed that NONE of their services use 0870 numbers. the are all 0845.
Posted by lLan, 05 Apr 2008
08708 503492
Just got in from work to find that, YET AGAIN, calls have started from whoever this company is. I've been plagued with calls from them since January, some as early as 7.30am on a weekend. For weeks I was woken up by the phone rather than my alarm. I am sick to the back teeth of it. My husband works away, he has a payment plan and it has been stuck to since inception. Halifax have told us it isn't them calling, nor is it any of their representatives.
I am on TPS but this hasn't stopped them. It's got so that I am worried to answer the phone. When I do get someone on the other end, they are rude and hang up whilst I'm talking. Today I have had 13 (yes 13) missed calls at home and a 14th that I answered and was hung up on.
I'm sick of it. I tell them they have to write to him, but they say he has to phone. He's in the military and is away abroad,...how can he phone!
Posted by Fed Up, 10 Apr 2008
calls from 08708503492
24/1/08
I am having endless calls from this number but they don't say who they are or just hang up when I answer. Anyone have any ideas about how to deal with them? Is it Halifax calling?
Thanks
Alison
Posted by alison, 24 Jan 2008
0870 330 2522
this is Direct debt solutions c/o baines & ernst, lloyd house, lloyd street, manchester, m2 5be - dont pay them anything or confirm any details - they are also going under the name Wentworth Finance - write in and demand that they remove your number from their stupid direct dialler phone system or at least have someone at the other end to answer the bloody phone when it rings you
Posted by byrneebaby, 28 May 2008
08445811014
This number calls my home about 10 times per day and this has been going on for weeks! Often when I answer there is nobody there. When they have spoken they say they are calling from halifax and that they need to speak to my husband about his credit problem (of which he has none). They hadn't given me a number that he can call them back on until this week (my husband works long hours and is never at home when they call). I was given a 0870 number to call them back on and when my husband called this number they said he hadn't paid his halifax credit card bill and owed them 100's of pounds (he has never had a halifax credit card EVER)! He then went to a local halifax branch and they have no record of his name or details ever!!!!! Explain that 1!! I must add most (not all) of the people making the calls were very rude when I questioned why they kept calling! Having been to halifax and being told that my husband has no credit problems the 0845 number still calls every day x10. I now don't answer when I see the number but it is very frustrating as there seems to be no way to stop it!
Posted by Lauri, 11 Jul 2008
.
I've been getting these phone calls for about 5 days now, at least 5 times a day. Not content with calling my mobile, they have also started on my landline.
Knowing that no bank would ever phone you asking for details, I refused straight away. The guy on the other end (called himself Mohamed) got himself into a muddle, and didnt have answers for me when I started quizzing him! I told him that I would go into my branch when it opened on Monday, and if he could stop calling. He said this could not be done, and to expect more calls over the weekend. On other times, I threatened them with police action - which also didn't work.
Finally, after about 4 calls on a Sunday morning, I lost the plot with them. Was fairly abusive to him and hung up - I haven't had a call back yet!
I'd urge anyone who is getting these, to report it to your local branch - and also the police station! This will be the only way to stop scammers like this.
Posted by A.Nnoyed, 14 Jul 2008
08708503492
This number keep calling my home number for a Mr & Mrs H (which I am definitely not and they have never lived at the property) the worst thing is they do not give you a chance to explain that that the callers just hang up straight away. I have been researching on the web and it seems that HBOS are crap at getting the correct phone number for they clients who owe them money. I have now call the BOS to stop the calls as the people in question do not and have not lived here and I do not appreciate being called and 9pm and then again at 7am.i also called Halifax as I actually have a mortgage with them but it seems that I am all ok and the helpful lady who answered is going to leave a note to the "incoming calls" department to stop the nuisance calls.
Posted by Suzi, 23 Aug 2008
my comment
this article was good
Posted by luc, 28 Aug 2008